ARLINGTON — For the Darrows, carpeting is not just a business, it’s a family tradition and a way of connecting with the community.
Jake and Gena Darrow, the managers of Darrow’s Carpets Plus Colortile in Arlington, are “second-generation” carpeters. They’ve opened a branch in Arlington, after 14 years in Stanwood, to better serve their customers in this area.
“We’re a family owned and operated business,” Jake Darrow said. “My dad, my brother and me are all qualified installers, and all of our installers have worked with us for at least eight to 10 years. We like meeting new people, and helping them get their houses how they want.”
Jake and Gena agreed that their business always presents them with new and interesting challenges, especially since they sell and install not only carpeting and tiling, but also vinyl, hardwoods, laminates, granite slabs, countertops and window blinds.
“We’ll do commercial and residential jobs,” Jake said. “We moved to Arlington because we were getting a lot of work out here already, but not as much as we liked.”
“It makes us more easily accessible to our customers here,” Gena Darrow said. “Just because you don’t see something in our showroom doesn’t mean we can’t get it.”
Gena and Jake noted that they don’t require customers who buy their carpeting, tiling or other to hire them as installers, too, since they sell to a number of self-installers.
“If you need advice on a project, we’re willing to talk with you about it,” Jake said. “We’re not just pushing product. It’s more important for us to make a friend than make a sale.”
Jake and Gena touted the variety of jobs they’ve done, from small projects on a budget to homes with 13,000 square feet of installations, in locations ranging from Eastern Washington to Canada.
“As long as it’s possible, we’re willing to do it,” Gena said.
“One old couple wanted us to install carpeting all over their bathroom, including the walls and ceiling,” Jake said. “I have no idea how you vacuum the carpet on a bathroom ceiling, we installed it anyway.”
“We’re just excited to be here, and to serve the community,” Gena said.
Darrow’s Carpets Plus Colortile in Arlington is located on 401 N. Olympic Ave. It’s open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can reach them by phone at 360-474-1744.
